Skip to content

Prague · 28 Cheshvan 5787

Shabbat this week · 16:02–17:11

Shabbat · Ritual

Kiddush

קִדּוּשׁkiddush
Awaiting expert review

Kiddush ("sanctification") is the blessing by which the holiness of Shabbat or a holiday is proclaimed in words. It is said over a cup of wine or grape juice, on Friday evening and on holidays at the start of dinner, and in a shorter form also before the daytime meal.

01

Origin and obligation

Halakhah

The Talmud interprets the commandment "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" to mean that Shabbat should be remembered over wine.1,2

Halakhah⁂ To verify

Maimonides counts the verbal sanctification of Shabbat among the biblical commandments; he regards the use of wine as a rabbinic enactment.3

Halakhah

Women are obligated in kiddush just like men, because whoever is bound by the prohibition "keep" is also bound by the commandment "remember".4

02

The Friday evening ceremony

Halakhah

The text opens with the biblical passage on the completion of creation (Vayechulu), followed by the blessing over wine (בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן) and the blessing on the holiness of the day. For the text, see Friday night Kiddush.5,6,7

Halakhah

Kiddush is to be said where one eats ("in the place of the meal"), so dinner follows it immediately.8,9

Minhag⁂ To verify

Whether kiddush is said standing or sitting varies according to family and community tradition; both practices have support in halakhic literature.

03

Daytime kiddush and holidays

Halakhah

Before the Shabbat lunch a shorter kiddush is said, ironically called kiddusha rabba ("the great kiddush"). On holidays the text of kiddush is adapted to the particular holiday.10

Modern practice

In many congregations a social "kiddush" with refreshments is held after the Saturday service; this is a community custom, not a separate ceremony.

FAQ

Does it have to be wine?

Grape juice is also fine. If one has no wine, according to halakhic authorities the Friday kiddush may be said over challah; the details vary.⁂ To verify

Who says kiddush?

Usually one of those present says it on behalf of everyone, and they answer "amen". It may be said by a man or a woman.

Sources

See also